Product Description

A masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism--providing the complete foundation for study and practice--from beginning to Buddhahood. Includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding the spiritual master, impermanence, karma, cultivation of bodhicitta, development of the six perfections, the ten bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of the Buddha.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #320091 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-19
• Original language: Tibetan
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 520 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781559390927
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Tibetan

From the Publisher
Translator's Introduction I pay homage to all root and lineage lamas! Please grant your blessings to me And to all sentient beings!

Dharma Lord Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E.), the author of THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION, was fully accomplished in the teachings and practice of Buddhism, the philosophy taught by Shakyamui Buddha circa 560 B.C.E. Gampopa studied the sutra system of training in the Kadampa lineage and obtained tantra training from the great saint Milarepa. Because he himself thus embodied the complete form of Buddhism, Lord Gampopa successfully established complete Buddhism in Tibet. His lineage of disciples pervaded the whole of Jambudvipa and became the crown jewel of all Buddhism.

He completed dispelled the darkness of confusion and reconciled all misunderstanding between the sutra and tantra systems. This is why, among Milarpa's disciples, he was declared to be "like the sun." In reality, it was as if the Buddha himself had manifested again in human form. Therefore, Gampopa's teachings are recognized asbeing wholly pure and precious.

Of the many important texts he wrote, THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION is probably the most significant. Gampopa said, "For anyone who wishes to see me, studying THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION and the PRECIOUS GARLAND OF THE EXCELLENT PATH is the same as meeting me." So, THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION acts as Gampopa's regent in these times. In this book, you will find a complete form of Buddhism -- right from the starting point, the ground where you enter into the path, until you achieve Buddhahood and manifest activities for the benefit of infinite sentient beings.

From the Back Cover
A masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism--providing the complete foundation for study and practice--from beginning to Buddhahood. Includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding the spiritual master, impermanence, karma, cultivation of bodhicitta, development of the six perfections, the ten bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of the Buddha.

"Anyone who knows the Jewel Ornament well can say that they really understand Buddhism."--Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen

"..clear and readable"--Bodhi Tree Bookstore

Customer Reviews

A complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice
From the back cover: "This is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries, this text has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice."

"Dharma Lord Gampopa (1074-1153) was the principle student of Milarepa. He brought two systems of teachings together: Atisha's Kadampa tradition and Naropa's Mahamudra tradition.
His teachings were said to be clear `like the sun'. "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation" is considered to be the most significant of his many texts."

What I particularly like about this work is the typical, clear format of each chapter:
* summery of the topic in a few words;
* reflection on the relevance of the topic;
* clear definition of the topic;
* classification of the topic;
* characteristics of each classification;
* increase: the virtue of practising this topic;
* perfection: signs of having perfected practising this topic;
* result: results of the fruition of attaining perfection.

One could not wish for a clearer exposition, from beginning to end of each topic.

This classic is a must-own for anyone seriously interested in Tibetan Buddhism.

For a full understanding of the path to attain buddhahood
If you re interested in this book, I suggest you get it with a copy of Path to Buddhahood by Ringu Tulku, which is based chapter by chapter on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation. If your only interested in getting one book & are new to buddhism, get the Path to Buddhahood first, It is more compact & puts the Jewel Ornament into our times & is still very concise. It will also generate extreme interest in the Jewel Ornament more (as well as buddhism itself) & your understanding of it will be much better.
The Jewel Ornament may be a little daunting to a newcomer, however, just to say simply, no one would be better to give you an understanding of Buddhism himself (other than an actual spiritual teacher, which the text gives you some practical advise on) than the Dharma Lord himself. Chapter by Chapter, if you, with diligence apply the given advise, will be able to follow down the path yourself Dont trust me though, have trust in the fact that actual Tibetan Lineages rely on this Lam Rim text themselves to teach & inspire there disciples. Do not doubt yourself either, this is the second step to attaining buddhahood, you already have the precious human form & all the other precious qualities, you have this life, this minute, you took the time to look here, you may never have another chance for a long long long time, get the book & you'll find out what Im talking about. You will soon realize how important it is for you (& all other beings)!

Amazing book when you know how to read it
I tried to read Gunther's translation of Gampopa's classic, but was unable to relate to it. If it weren't for Ken McLeod's podcast of his Then And Now class (www.unfetteredmind.com/audio, then go to the Classes dropdown), this translation would fair no better with me. Ken's podcast classes are helping in my developing an experiential relationship with the subject matter. This book, although written in medieval Tibet, deals with the questions of human confusion and struggle that impact us today, and provide direction on freeing us of this confusion and struggle, especially when Ken's podcasts are used as a study guide.